Abstract
BACKGROUND: Autologous or allogenic platelet gel is a blood component that exploits the effects of the cytokines contained in platelet α granules to stimulate repair processes. The properties of platelet gel were first tested on chronic ulcers to accelerate healing and later in orthopaedic, dental, vascular and cardiothoracic surgery. In our centre, we have been using platelet gel for 5 years, first for surgical patients with difficult wounds, then for orthopaedic patients undergoing osteosynthesis surgery and patients with ulcers not responding to traditional therapies. Subsequently we decided to extend the use of platelet gel also to amputations or traumatic loss of tissue of fingers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this article we present the results obtained over 5 years concerning 115 patients with finger amputations or wounds treated with platelet gel in our Service of Transfusion Medicine. Platelets were obtained fom allogeneic buffy coats (10 mL) and the gel was produced by adding thrombin to concentrated platelets. The decision to use homologous platelet gel was based on its limited cost, ease of preparation, almost unlimited availability, the fact that the number of platelets that can be collected is much higher than the therapeutic range and so able to replace the losses due to secondary medication, and last, but not least, it causes no discomfort to patients. The safety of the product was ensured by virology tests including molecular biology studies. RESULTS: The recovery of soft tissue in all patients ranged from 80 to 100%; the median time for this recovery was 3 weeks (range, 10 days - 6 weeks). Approximately 60% of the patients complained of local hypoaesthesia for some weeks; 30% of the patients developed hyperaesthesia, which resolved completely within 6-8 weeks from starting treatment. Loss of bone tissue represented an obstacle to total tissue recovery, but the aesthetic results were satisfactory in nearly all cases. CONCLUSION: All patients showed good compliance, both because of the low frequency of medications (at most, twice a week) and because of the painless platelet gel applications. The only negative aspect was abnormal nail growth in a case of distal partial amputation of a finger. In conclusion, we believe that platelet gel can be very useful in patients with traumatic or surgical loss of finger tissue, since it can resolve critical situations thus avoiding amputation of residual tissue and compromised joint function.